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You love your best friend. You trust her with your life. But could you give her the most precious gift of all? Alex's life is a mess. She's barely holding down a job, only just affording her apartment, and can't remember when she was last in a relationship. An unexpected pregnancy is the last thing she needs. Martha's life is on track. She's got the highflying career, the gorgeous home and the loving husband.
But one big thing is missing. Five rounds of IVF and still no baby. The solution seems simple. Alex knows that Martha can give her child everything that she can't provide. But Martha's world may not be as perfect as it seems, and letting go isn't as easy as Alex expected it to be. Now they face a decision that could shatter their friendship forever

My Recap :

Two friends at very different stages in life. One seems to have it all, the loving husband, a great career and a fancy apartment. Martha is missing the one thing she really wants though, a child. The other is living life to her plan which is no plan, she meandering aimlessly along, easy going and carefree until an unexpected pregnancy puts a stop to that. Alex doesn’t think she is ready to commit to child. This book follows the overlap of their lives and the fallout from a promise given too quickly and too easily.

My Thoughts :

This book was so personal for me. I’ve experienced so much that Martha went through and I feel that the feelings of heart-break and unfulfillment were so well captured that my heart was literally jumping from bad memories. Thankfully I am no longer in this dark place but I was for a long time. Either the author has personal experience or she has done great research as I can 100% say she nailed it.

“She doesn’t know how this feels, wanting a child so very much, twisting your body and life into tangles and knots to achieve it, and being denied again and again. Feeling helpless, powerless, unneeded. Feeling as if the one thing you felt would make you complete – make you a whole person – will never, ever be granted to you.No Alex has no idea what that feels like, but I doGod, I do”

Martha is initially a hard character to like. Of course your heart aches for her but she is so hard, so busy keeping her mask in place that she seems unfeeling. I wanted to tap her on the shoulder and say let it out, tell those around you how you really feel, don’t give them reason to misunderstand you.

Alex on the other hand is so open and giving that she feels fun and laid back. She is too much of a people pleaser but she grows so much over the course of this book that by the end of it, I am so proud of her that my heart all but burst with pride for all she accomplished.

I was gripped to this book. I hadn’t read much about the book in advance so the twist took me by surprise. This book had me nodding my head in agreement at times, laughing at others and also broke my heart. It is a book that shows how friendships can grow and help sustain you through your darkest days. It is also a book about second chances and fragility of life. It kept me on the edge of an emotional abyss while I read it and even though it broke my heart, it was a totally satisfying read. Word to the wise – don’t read in public!

Who should read This Fragile Life?

I’d strongly recommend this book to all those who like emotional rollercoasters and strong but real female characters.

Thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin (UK) Limited for giving me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.

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11 Responses to “Book Review : This Fragile Life by Kate Hewitt”

First of all, I am beyond impressed with your new design Trish!! It’s gorgeous! I love love love it! it’s so clean and you and I love the new name! *gushes* how did I not know you were planning this?!? *huge hug*

Now, onto the review. 😀 I can tell you were really touched by this story. It’s so beautiful but also sort of difficult when a book really nails something you’ve gone through and makes you feel it all over again.. 🙂 I’m glad you found that with this book. I don’t think I could read it knowing it would make me a mess. (Although I am being more courageous with emotional reads)Dee @ Dee’s Reads recently posted…ARC Graphic Novel Review: Mane Tales Vol. 1

I didn’t really plan it! I’ve been thinking of it for a while and just decided to go for it! It happened really quickly after that, I’m still a bit shell shocked and trying to find my feet 🙂 So far, so good though.
Yes, it’s a very emotional book for anyone but especially for someone who has been through even some of what these characters endure. Beautifully written though and I love books about friendships so I loved it.

This sounds intense, though not the sort of book I’d probably pick up. Emotional reads like this are definitely a “once in a while” thing for me.Charleen recently posted…How to DNF in Two (Not-So-Simple) Steps

Great review! You have read some great books lately. This one definitely sounds like a winner and I love when the author seems to really know what they are writing, especially a topic like this.Chelsea @ Starbucks & Books Obsession recently posted…ARC Review + Dream Cast: Only for You by Genna Rulon

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